The Skinny on Outsourcing

What exactly is Outsourcing...Outsourcing is the act of contracting out business tasks to someone else (like a Virtual Assistant) for completion.

Outsourcing is a way for business owners, like you, to:

Work ON your business instead of IN your business

Save money.

Spend more time doing the things that YOU want.

Unfortunately, there’s a common misconception about outsourcing that keeps many business owners from using this valuable service. Many think that outsourcing involves sending work to people in other countries who work for pennies and perform the work below standard. While we have all heard horror stories about this, it is more the exception than the rule. In today's economy, there are many ways to outsource work to those who are professionals in their respective fields and many ways to ensure that the work will be above expectations – no matter where they live. In reality, many of these professionals become valuable partners in their client's business and offer the same benefits as having an office full of colleagues without the cost.

There are a variety of tasks that you can outsource in your business and in the next several blog posts, I'll discuss them in more detail. But for now start thinking about everything you do in your business. Do you handle it all yourself? Are you a slave to your computer, blackberry, or cell phone at all hours of the day and night. Do you miss out on family or friend opportunities because of last minute projects? Are you still gathering your information for your taxes? If you answered yes to even one of these scenarios, you’re working yourself way too hard.

So Stop spinning your wheels and stop living for your business. If you’re feeling overworked and underpaid, then you need to sit down with your boss (yourself) and give yourself permission to get some help and outsource some of your life!

Believe it or not, those who personally do every single thing in their business are actually stalling their business from growth. It’s time to create a lucrative business without working yourself so hard.

Stick around and I’ll show you how.

The Winter Doldrums

Now that the holiday season is over, we are headed into what some people refer to as the "winter doldrums." This is the usually cold, snowy, party-less time of the year when it gets dark early and we all want to just stay home. If you are like me, there is only so much home-staying you can do before going beserk. So here are a few fun projects to occupy your time.

1) If you are budget conscious and craving a shopping trip throw a Junque swap party. Yes, I spelled Junk with a Q on purpose. Call your girlfriends and ask them to go through their closest and pick out a few pieces they don't wear anymore (GENTLY worn or NEW only), do the same with your closet. Then have everyone over to swap and trade - make cosmos, hot chocolate, pizza... E-mail me for more details

2) Do a kitchen purge. Admit it - you have NO idea how long that bottle of paprika has been in your spice rack. Believe it or not, spices and herbs expire and the old adage applies here; when in doubt - throw it out! I know spices are expensive --- here's where a small investment now can pay off later. If you really look at what you are throwing away, you will realize what you use and what you don't -- like the marjoram, even I don't know what to do with that. So once you figure out what you use most - buy only those (I bet you'll find it is really just a few) and for the other oddballs you need occasionally, see if you can share with a friend.

3) Scrapbook. There I said it! Either full-on get the cricut, colored papers, and stickers out OR just get the photos out from under the bed and into a pretty book or box OR better yet a frame and display them. Feng Shui note --- very bad to keep things under your bed. I inherited my mother's collection of photos spanning her 69 years (two bankers boxes full) and while they are sometimes emotionally draining to look at, I am determined to share, scrapbook, and frame the majority of them.

So if you are going stir crazy and need a distraction, try one of these ideas or post some of your own!

The Beginning

Family & Friends,
I founded my concierge service, "You Do My To-Do!" with one thing in mind; Helping others take back their time by handing over their to-do list. "You Do My To-do!" perfects this big city luxury by giving you and your loved ones the small town attention you deserve. You can be confident that your to-do list is in the hands of a working professional who has twenty years of hospitality experience, unparalleled attention detail, and a promise of complete customer satisfaction. Visit www.youdomytodo.com to learn how easy it is for you to say, "You Do My To-Do!"

I look forward to offering first class concierge service and will be updating my blog weekly with new information, specials, and emerging news on how you can benefit from the services of "You Do My To-Do!"

Thank-you for joining me on this exciting endeavor!